Nested check high speed valve

ABSTRACT

A shock absorber has a compression valve assembly which functions during a compression stroke, a rebound valve assembly which functions during a rebound stroke and a velocity sensitive valve which is in series with one or both of the compression valve assembly and the rebound valve assembly. The compression valve assembly, the rebound valve assembly and the velocity sensitive valve can be incorporated into a piston assembly, a base valve assembly or both.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/133,448 filed on Jun. 5, 2008. The entire disclosure of the aboveapplication is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to hydraulic dampers for use ina suspension system such as a suspension system used for automotivevehicles. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to highspeed valve assemblies that can be incorporated into piston assembliesand/or base valve assemblies.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background informationrelated to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

Shock absorbers are used in conjunction with automotive suspensionsystems and other suspension systems to absorb unwanted vibrations whichoccur during movement of the suspension system. In order to absorb theseunwanted vibrations, automotive shock absorbers are generally connectedbetween the sprung (body) and the unsprung (suspension/chassis) massesof the vehicle.

The most common type of shock absorbers for automobiles is the dashpottype which can be either a mono-tube design or a dual-tube design. Inthe mono-tube design, a piston is located within a pressure tube and isconnected to the sprung mass of the vehicle through a piston rod. Thepressure tube is connected to the unsprung mass of the vehicle. Thepiston divides the pressure tube into an upper working chamber and alower working chamber. The piston includes compression valving whichlimits the flow of damping fluid from the lower working chamber to theupper working chamber during a compression stroke and rebound valvingwhich limits the flow of damping fluid from the upper working chamber tothe lower working chamber during a rebound or extension stroke. Becausethe compression valving and the rebound valving have the ability tolimit the flow of damping fluid, the shock absorber is able to produce adamping force which counteracts the vibrations which would otherwise betransmitted from the unsprung mass to the sprung mass.

In a dual-tube shock absorber, a fluid reservoir is defined between thepressure tube and a reservoir tube which is positioned around thepressure tube. A base valve assembly is located between the lowerworking chamber and the fluid reservoir to control the flow of dampeningfluid. The compression valving of the piston is moved to the base valveassembly and is replaced by a compression check valve assembly. Inaddition to the compression valving, the base valve assembly includes arebound check valve assembly. The compression valving of the base valveassembly produces the damping force during a compression stroke, and therebound valving of the piston produces the damping force during arebound or extension stroke. Both the compression and rebound checkvalve assemblies permit fluid flow in one direction, but prohibit fluidflow in an opposite direction; however, they are designed such that theydo not generate a damping force.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to a shock absorber which includeshigh speed valve assemblies in both the piston assembly and the basevalve assembly. The high speed valve assembly includes valving whichreduces the flow area during high speed movements of the hydraulicfluid.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. It should be understood that the description andspecific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a typical automobile whichincorporates the unique base valve assembly in accordance with thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the shock absorber in accordance withthe present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the piston assemblyillustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the base valve assemblyillustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of a shock absorber in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the piston assemblyillustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the base valve assemblyillustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of a shock absorber in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the piston assemblyillustrated in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a side sectional view of a shock absorber in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the piston assemblyillustrated in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the base valve assemblyillustrated in FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a side sectional view of a shock absorber in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the piston assemblyillustrated in FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is notintended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses.

Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numerals designatelike or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shownin FIG. 1 a vehicle which includes a suspension system incorporatingshock absorbers in accordance with the present disclosure and which isdesignated generally by the reference numeral 10. Vehicle 10 includes arear suspension 12, a front suspension 14 and a body 16. Rear suspension12 has a transversely extending rear axle assembly (not shown) adaptedto operatively support a pair of rear wheels 18 of vehicle 10. The rearaxle assembly is operatively connected to body 16 by means of a pair ofshock absorbers 20 and a pair of helical coil springs 22. Similarly,front suspension 14 includes a transversely extending front axleassembly (not shown) to operatively support a pair of front wheels 24 ofvehicle 10. The front axle assembly is operatively connected to body 16by means of a second pair of shock absorbers 26 and by a pair of helicalcoil springs 28. Shock absorbers 20 and 26 serve to dampen the relativemotion of the unsprung mass (i.e., front and rear suspensions 12 and 14,respectively) and the sprung mass (i.e., body 16) of vehicle 10. Whilevehicle 10 has been depicted as a passenger car having front and rearaxle assemblies, shock absorbers 20 and 26 may be used with other typesof vehicles or in other types of applications such as vehiclesincorporating independent front and/or independent rear suspensionsystems. Further, the term “shock absorber” as used herein is meant torefer to dampers in general and thus will include MacPherson struts.

Referring now to FIG. 2, shock absorber 20 is shown in greater detail.While FIG. 2 illustrates only shock absorber 20, it is to be understoodthat shock absorber 26 also includes the valve assemblies describedbelow for shock absorber 20. Shock absorber 26 only differs from shockabsorber 20 in the manner in which it is adapted to be connected to thesprung and unsprung masses of vehicle 10. Shock absorber 20 comprises apressure tube 30, a piston assembly 32, a piston rod 34, a reservoirtube 36 and a base valve assembly 38.

Pressure tube 30 defines a working chamber 42. Piston assembly 32 isslidably disposed within pressure tube 30 and divides working chamber 42into an upper working chamber 44 and a lower working chamber 46. A seal48 is disposed between piston assembly 32 and pressure tube 30 to permitsliding movement of piston assembly 32 with respect to pressure tube 30without generating undue frictional forces as well as sealing upperworking chamber 44 from lower working chamber 46. Piston rod 34 isattached to piston assembly 32 and extends through upper working chamber44 and through an upper end cap 50 which closes the upper end ofpressure tube 30. A sealing system seals the interface between upper endcap 50, reservoir tube 36 and piston rod 34. The end of piston rod 34opposite to piston assembly 32 is adapted to be secured to the sprungportion of vehicle 10. Valving within piston assembly 32 controls themovement of fluid between upper working chamber 44 and lower workingchamber 46 during movement of piston assembly 32 within pressure tube30. Because piston rod 34 extends only through upper working chamber 44and not lower working chamber 46, movement of piston assembly 32 withrespect to pressure tube 30 causes a difference in the amount of fluiddisplaced in upper working chamber 44 and the amount of fluid displacedin lower working chamber 46. The difference in the amount of fluiddisplaced is known as the “rod volume” and it flows through base valveassembly 38.

Reservoir tube 36 surrounds pressure tube 30 to define a fluid reservoirchamber 52 located between tubes 30 and 36. The bottom end of reservoirtube 36 is closed by an end cap 54 which is adapted to be connected tothe unsprung portion of vehicle 10. The upper end of reservoir tube 36is attached to upper end cap 50. Base valve assembly 38 is disposedbetween lower working chamber 46 and reservoir chamber 52 to control theflow of fluid between chambers 46 and 52. When shock absorber 20 extendsin length, an additional volume of fluid is needed in lower workingchamber 46 due to the “rod volume” concept. Thus, fluid will flow fromreservoir chamber 52 to lower working chamber 46 through base valveassembly 38 as detailed below. When shock absorber 20 compresses inlength, an excess of fluid must be removed from lower working chamber 46due to the “rod volume” concept. Thus, fluid will flow from lowerworking chamber 46 to reservoir chamber 52 through base valve assembly38 as detailed below.

Referring now to FIG. 3, piston assembly 32 comprises a valve body 60, acompression check valve assembly 62 and a rebound valve assembly 64.Compression check valve assembly 62 is assembled against a shoulder 66on piston rod 34. Valve body 60 is assembled against compression checkvalve assembly 62 and rebound valve assembly 64 is assembled againstvalve body 60. A nut 68 secures these components to piston rod 34. Valvebody 60 defines a plurality of compression passages 70 and a pluralityof rebound passages 72.

Compression check valve assembly 62 comprises a retainer 80, a valvedisc 82 and a spring 84. Retainer 80 abuts shoulder 66 on one end andvalve body 60 on the other end. Valve disc 82 abuts valve body 60 andcloses compression passages 70. Valve disc 82 defines a plurality ofapertures 86 which leave rebound passages 72 open. Spring 84 is disposedbetween retainer 80 and valve disc 82 to bias valve disc 82 againstvalve body 60. During a compression stroke, fluid in lower workingchamber 46 is pressurized causing fluid pressure to react against valvedisc 82. When the fluid pressure against valve disc 82 overcomes thebiasing load of spring 84, valve disc 82 separates from valve body 60 toopen compression passages 70 and allow fluid flow from lower workingchamber 46 to upper working chamber 44. Typically, spring 84 only exertsa light biasing load on valve disc 82 and compression check valveassembly 62 acts as a check valve between chambers 46 and 44. Thedamping characteristics for shock absorber 20 during a compressionstroke are controlled by base valve assembly 38 which accommodates theflow of fluid from lower working chamber 46 to reservoir chamber 52 dueto the “rod volume” concept. During a rebound stroke, compressionpassages 70 are closed by valve disc 82.

Rebound valve assembly 64 comprises a plurality of valve discs 90 and avelocity sensitive valve disc 92. The plurality of valve discs 90 aresandwiched between valve body 60 and nut 68 to close the plurality ofrebound passages 72. Velocity sensitive valve disc 92 is nested belowvalve disc 82 of compression check valve assembly 62 on the oppositeside of valve body 60 from the plurality of valve discs 90. When fluidpressure is applied to valve discs 90, they will elastically deflect attheir outer peripheral edge to open rebound valve assembly 64.

During a rebound stroke, fluid in upper working chamber 44 ispressurized causing fluid to react against valve discs 90. When thefluid pressure reacting against valve discs 90 overcomes the bendingload for valve discs 90, valve discs 90 elastically deflect openingrebound passages 72 allowing fluid flow from upper working chamber 44,through apertures 86, past velocity sensitive valve disc 92, throughrebound passages 72 and into lower working chamber 46. The strength ofvalve discs 90 and the size of rebound passages 72 will determine thedamping characteristics for shock absorber 20 in rebound. When the fluidflow past velocity sensitive valve disc 92 reaches a predeterminedvelocity, the flow between velocity sensitive valve disc 92 and valvebody 60 become restricted and a pressure drop develops. Because thepressure on the upper working chamber side of velocity sensitive valvedisc 92 is now higher than the pressure on the lower working chamberside of velocity sensitive valve disc 92, velocity sensitive valve disc92 will deflect towards valve body 60. Eventually contact will occurbetween velocity sensitive valve disc 92 and valve body 60 creating aclosed position. Velocity sensitive valve disc 92 contacts a disc seat94 which is castled in geometry and, in the closed position, the totalflow area through the castled disc seat 94 is designed to be less thanthe total flow area of the plurality of rebound passages 72. Thus, whenvelocity sensitive valve disc 92 closes, the flow area is decreased andthe damping force that is developed will increase. While disc seat 94 isillustrated as being castled to provide flow past velocity sensitivevalve disc 92, it is within the scope of the present disclosure toprovide a continuous disc seat 94 and have a plurality of flow portsformed in velocity sensitive valve disc 92.

Referring now to FIG. 4, base valve assembly 38 comprises a valve body100, an intake or rebound check valve assembly 102, a compression valveassembly 104, a retaining bolt 106 and a retaining nut 108. Valve body100 is secured to pressure tube 30 and end cap 54 by press fitting or byother methods known well in the art. End cap 54 is secured to reservoirtube 36 and it defines a plurality of fluid passages 110 which allowcommunication between reservoir chamber 52 and base valve assembly 38.Valve body 100 defines a plurality of intake or rebound fluid passages112, a plurality of compression fluid passages 114, and a central bore116. Retaining bolt 106 extends through central bore 116 and threadinglyengages retaining nut 108 to secure both rebound check valve assembly102 and compression valve assembly 104 to valve body 100. While FIG. 4illustrates retaining bolt 106 and retaining nut 108 other retainersincluding but not limited to a valve pin can be utilized.

Rebound check valve assembly 102 comprises retaining nut 108, a valvedisc 122 and a spring 124. Valve disc 122 abuts valve body 100 andcloses rebound fluid passages 112. Valve disc 122 defines a plurality ofapertures 126 which leave compression fluid passages 114 open. Spring124 is disposed between retaining nut 108 and valve disc 122 to biasvalve disc 122 against valve body 100. During a rebound stroke, fluid inlower working chamber 46 is reduced in pressure causing fluid pressurein reservoir chamber 52 to react against valve disc 122. When the fluidpressure against valve disc 122 overcomes the biasing load of spring124, valve disc 122 separates from valve body 100 to open rebound fluidpassages 112 and allow fluid flow from reservoir chamber 52 to lowerworking chamber 46. Typically, spring 124 only exerts a light biasingload on valve disc 122 and rebound check valve assembly 102 acts as acheck valve between chambers 52 and 46. The damping characteristics forshock absorber 20 during a rebound stroke are controlled by pistonassembly 32 which accommodates the flow of fluid from upper workingchamber 44 to lower working chamber 46 as detailed above. During acompression stroke, rebound fluid passages 112 are closed by valve disc122.

Compression valve assembly 104 comprises a plurality of valve discs 130and a velocity sensitive valve disc 132. The plurality of valve discs130 are sandwiched between valve body 100 and retaining bolt 106 toclose the plurality of compression fluid passages 114. Velocitysensitive valve disc 132 is nested below valve disc 122 of rebound checkvalve assembly 102 on the opposite side of valve body 100 from theplurality of valve discs 130. When fluid pressure is applied to valvediscs 130, they will elastically deflect at their outer peripheral edgeto open compression valve assembly 104.

During a compression stroke, fluid in lower working chamber 46 ispressurized causing fluid to react against valve discs 130. When thefluid pressure reacting against valve discs 130 overcomes the bendingload for valve discs 130, valve discs 130 elastically deflect openingcompression fluid passages 114 allowing fluid flow from lower workingchamber 46, through apertures 126, past velocity sensitive valve disc132, through compression fluid passages 114 and into reservoir chamber52. The strength of valve discs 130 and the size of compression fluidpassages 114 will determine the damping characteristics for shockabsorber 20 in compression. When the fluid flow past velocity sensitivevalve disc 132 reaches a predetermined velocity, the flow betweenvelocity sensitive valve disc 132 and valve body 100 becomes restrictedand a pressure drop develops. Because the pressure on the lower workingchamber side of velocity sensitive valve disc 132 is now higher than thepressure on the reservoir chamber side of velocity sensitive valve disc132, velocity sensitive valve disc 132 will deflect towards valve body100. Eventually contact will occur between velocity sensitive valve disc132 and valve body 100 creating a closed position. Velocity sensitivevalve disc 132 contacts a disc seat 134 which is continuous and velocitysensitive valve disc defines a plurality of flow ports 136 and, in theclosed position, the total flow area through ports 136 is designed to beless than the total flow area of the plurality of compression fluidpassages 114. Thus, when velocity sensitive valve disc 132 closes, theflow area is decreased and the damping force that is developed willincrease.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a shock absorber 220 is shown in greaterdetail. While FIG. 5 illustrates only shock absorber 220, it is to beunderstood that shock absorber 26 can also include the valve assembliesdescribed below for shock absorber 220. Shock absorber 26 only differsfrom shock absorber 220 in the manner in which it is adapted to beconnected to the sprung and unsprung masses of vehicle 10. Shockabsorber 220 comprises a pressure tube 230, a piston assembly 232, apiston rod 234, a reservoir tube 236 and a base valve assembly 238.

Pressure tube 230 defines a working chamber 242. Piston assembly 232 isslidably disposed within pressure tube 230 and divides working chamber242 into an upper working chamber 244 and a lower working chamber 246. Aseal 248 is disposed between piston assembly 232 and pressure tube 230to permit sliding movement of piston assembly 232 with respect topressure tube 230 without generating undue frictional forces as well assealing upper working chamber 244 from lower working chamber 246. Pistonrod 234 is attached to piston assembly 232 and extends through upperworking chamber 244 and through an upper end cap 250 which closes theupper end of pressure tube 230. A sealing system seals the interfacebetween upper end cap 250, reservoir tube 236 and piston rod 234. Theend of piston rod 234 opposite to piston assembly 232 is adapted to besecured to the sprung portion of vehicle 10. Valving within pistonassembly 232 controls the movement of fluid between upper workingchamber 244 and lower working chamber 246 during movement of pistonassembly 232 within pressure tube 230. Because piston rod 234 extendsonly through upper working chamber 244 and not lower working chamber246, movement of piston assembly 232 with respect to pressure tube 230causes a difference in the amount of fluid displaced in upper workingchamber 244 and the amount of fluid displaced in lower working chamber246. The difference in the amount of fluid displaced is known as the“rod volume” and it flows through base valve assembly 238.

Reservoir tube 236 surrounds pressure tube 230 to define a fluidreservoir chamber 252 located between tubes 230 and 236. The bottom endof reservoir tube 236 is closed by an end cap 254 which is adapted to beconnected to the unsprung portion of vehicle 10. The upper end ofreservoir tube 236 is attached to upper end cap 250. Base valve assembly238 is disposed between lower working chamber 246 and reservoir chamber252 to control the flow of fluid between chambers 246 and 252. Whenshock absorber 220 extends in length, an additional volume of fluid isneeded in lower working chamber 246 due to the “rod volume” concept.Thus, fluid will flow from reservoir chamber 252 to lower workingchamber 246 through base valve assembly 238 as detailed below. Whenshock absorber 220 compresses in length, an excess of fluid must beremoved from lower working chamber 246 due to the “rod volume” concept.Thus, fluid will flow from lower working chamber 246 to reservoirchamber 252 through base valve assembly 238 as detailed below.

Referring now to FIG. 6, piston assembly 232 comprises a valve body 260,a compression check valve assembly 262 and a rebound valve assembly 264.Compression check valve assembly 262 is assembled against a shoulder 266on piston rod 234. Valve body 260 is assembled against compression checkvalve assembly 262 and rebound valve assembly 264 is assembled againstvalve body 260. A nut 268 secures these components to piston rod 234.Valve body 260 defines a plurality of compression passages 270 and aplurality of rebound passages 272.

Compression check valve assembly 262 comprises a retainer 280, a valvedisc 282 and a spacer 284. Retainer 280 abuts shoulder 266 and spacer284 abuts valve body 260 on the other end. Valve disc 282 abuts valvebody 260 and closes compression passages 270. Valve disc 282 defines aplurality of apertures 286 which leave rebound passages 272 open. Duringa compression stroke, fluid in lower working chamber 246 is pressurizedcausing fluid pressure to react against valve disc 282. When the fluidpressure against valve disc 282 overcomes the bending load of valve disc282, valve disc 282 deflects to separate from valve body 260 to opencompression passages 270 and allow fluid flow from lower working chamber246 to upper working chamber 244. Typically, valve disc 282 only exertsa light biasing load on piston body 260 and compression check valveassembly 262 acts as a check valve between chambers 246 and 244. Thedamping characteristics for shock absorber 220 during a compressionstroke are controlled by base valve assembly 238 which accommodates theflow of fluid from lower working chamber 246 to reservoir chamber 252due to the “rod volume” concept. During a rebound stroke, compressionpassages 270 are closed by valve disc 282.

Rebound valve assembly 264 comprises a plurality of valve discs 290 anda velocity sensitive valve disc 292. The plurality of valve discs 290are sandwiched between valve body 260 and nut 268 to close the pluralityof rebound passages 272. Velocity sensitive valve disc 292 is nestedabove valve disc 282 of compression check valve assembly 262 on theopposite side of valve body 260 from the plurality of valve discs 290.Velocity sensitive valve disc 292 defines a plurality of slots orapertures 294 which allow fluid flow when velocity sensitive valve disc292 is in its closed position. When fluid pressure is applied to valvediscs 290, they will elastically deflect at their outer peripheral edgeto open rebound valve assembly 264.

During a rebound stroke, fluid in upper working chamber 244 ispressurized causing fluid to react against valve discs 290. When thefluid pressure reacting against valve discs 290 overcomes the bendingload for valve discs 290, valve discs 290 elastically deflect openingrebound passages 272 allowing fluid flow from upper working chamber 244,through apertures 286, past velocity sensitive valve disc 292, throughrebound passages 272 and into lower working chamber 246. The strength ofvalve discs 290 and the size of rebound passages 272 will determine thedamping characteristics for shock absorber 220 in rebound. When thefluid flow past velocity sensitive valve disc 292 reaches apredetermined velocity, the flow between velocity sensitive valve disc292 and valve body 260 become restricted and a pressure drop develops.Because the pressure on the upper working chamber side of velocitysensitive valve disc 292 is now higher than the pressure on the lowerworking chamber side of velocity sensitive valve disc 292, velocitysensitive valve disc 292 will deflect towards valve body 260. Eventuallycontact will occur between velocity sensitive valve disc 292 and valvedisc 282 creating a closed position. The total flow area throughapertures 294 of velocity sensitive valve disc 292 is designed to beless than the total flow area of the plurality of rebound passages 272.Thus, when velocity sensitive valve disc 292 closes, the flow area isdecreased and the damping force that is developed will increase.

Referring now to FIG. 7, base valve assembly 238 comprises a valve body300, an intake or rebound check valve assembly 302, a compression valveassembly 304, a retaining bolt 306 and a retaining nut 308. Valve body300 is secured to pressure tube 230 and end cap 254 by press fitting orby other methods known well in the art. End cap 254 is secured toreservoir tube 236 and it defines a plurality of fluid passages 310which allow communication between reservoir chamber 252 and base valveassembly 238. Valve body 300 defines a plurality of intake or reboundfluid passages 312, a plurality of compression fluid passages 314, and acentral bore 318. Retaining bolt 306 extends through central bore 318and threadingly engages retaining nut 308 to secure both rebound checkvalve assembly 302 and compression valve assembly 304 to valve body 300.While FIG. 7 illustrates retaining bolt 306 and retaining nut 308 otherretainers including but not limited to a valve pin can be utilized.

Rebound check valve assembly 302 comprises retaining nut 308, a valvedisc 322 and a spacer 324. Valve disc 322 abuts valve body 300 andcloses rebound fluid passages 312. Valve disc 322 defines a plurality ofapertures 326 which leave compression fluid passages 314 open. Spacer324 is disposed between valve body 300 and valve disc 322 to bias valvedisc 322 against valve body 300. During a rebound stroke, fluid in lowerworking chamber 246 is reduced in pressure causing fluid pressure inreservoir chamber 252 to react against valve disc 322. When the fluidpressure against valve disc 322 overcomes the bending load of valve disc322, valve disc 322 deflects to separate from valve body 300 to openrebound fluid passages 312 and allow fluid flow from reservoir chamber252 to lower working chamber 246. Typically, the bending load for valvedisc 322 only exerts a light biasing load on valve disc 322 and reboundcheck valve assembly 302 acts as a check valve between chambers 252 and246. The damping characteristics for shock absorber 220 during a reboundstroke are controlled by piston assembly 232 which accommodates the flowof fluid from upper working chamber 244 to lower working chamber 246 asdetailed above. During a compression stroke, rebound fluid passages 312are closed by valve disc 322.

Compression valve assembly 304 comprises a plurality of valve discs 330and a velocity sensitive valve disc 332. The plurality of valve discs330 are sandwiched between valve body 300 and retaining bolt 306 toclose the plurality of compression fluid passages 314. Velocitysensitive valve disc 332 is nested above valve disc 322 of rebound checkvalve assembly 302 on the opposite side of valve body 300 from theplurality of valve discs 330. Velocity sensitive valve disc 332 definesa plurality of slots or apertures 334 which allow fluid flow whenvelocity sensitive valve disc 332 is in its closed position. When fluidpressure is applied to valve discs 330, they will elastically deflect attheir outer peripheral edge to open compression valve assembly 304.

During a compression stroke, fluid in lower working chamber 246 ispressurized causing fluid to react against valve discs 330. When thefluid pressure reacting against valve discs 330 overcomes the bendingload for valve discs 330, valve discs 330 elastically deflect openingcompression fluid passages 314 allowing fluid flow from lower workingchamber 246, through apertures 326, past velocity sensitive valve disc332, through compression fluid passages 314 and into reservoir chamber252. The strength of valve discs 330 and the size of compression fluidpassages 314 will determine the damping characteristics for shockabsorber 220 in compression. When the fluid flow past velocity sensitivevalve disc 332 reaches a predetermined velocity, the flow betweenvelocity sensitive valve disc 332 and valve body 300 becomes restrictedand a pressure drop develops. Because the pressure on the lower workingchamber side of velocity sensitive valve disc 332 is now higher than thepressure on the reservoir chamber side of velocity sensitive valve disc332, velocity sensitive valve disc 332 will deflect towards valve body300. Eventually contact will occur between velocity sensitive valve disc332 and valve disc 322 creating a closed position. The total flow areathrough apertures 334 of velocity sensitive valve disc 332 is designedto be less than the total flow area of the plurality of compressionfluid passages 314. Thus, when velocity sensitive valve disc 332 closes,the flow area is decreased and the damping force that is developed willincrease.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a shock absorber 420 is shown in greaterdetail. Shock absorber 420 is a mono-tube design. While FIG. 8illustrates only shock absorber 420, it is to be understood that shockabsorber 26 can also include the valve assembly described below forshock absorber 420. Shock absorber 26 only differs from shock absorber420 in the manner in which it is adapted to be connected to the sprungand unsprung masses of vehicle 10. Shock absorber 420 comprises apressure tube 430, a piston assembly 432 and a piston rod 434.

Pressure tube 430 defines a working chamber 442. Piston assembly 432 isslidably disposed within pressure tube 430 and divides working chamber442 into an upper working chamber 444 and a lower working chamber 446. Aseal 448 is disposed between piston assembly 432 and pressure tube 430to permit sliding movement of piston assembly 432 with respect topressure tube 430 without generating undue frictional forces as well assealing upper working chamber 444 from lower working chamber 446. Pistonrod 434 is attached to piston assembly 432 and extends through upperworking chamber 444 and through an upper end cap 450 which closes theupper end of pressure tube 430. A sealing system seals the interfacebetween upper end cap 450, reservoir tube 436 and piston rod 434. Theend of piston rod 434 opposite to piston assembly 432 is adapted to besecured to the sprung portion of vehicle 10. Valving within pistonassembly 432 controls the movement of fluid between upper workingchamber 444 and lower working chamber 446 during movement of pistonassembly 432 within pressure tube 430. Because piston rod 434 extendsonly through upper working chamber 444 and not lower working chamber446, movement of piston assembly 432 with respect to pressure tube 430causes a difference in the amount of fluid displaced in upper workingchamber 444 and the amount of fluid displaced in lower working chamber446. The difference in the amount of fluid displaced is known as the“rod volume” and it is compensated for by a sealed chamber withinworking chamber 442 as is known in the art.

Referring now to FIG. 9, piston assembly 432 comprises a valve body 460,a compression valve assembly 462 and a rebound valve assembly 464.Compression valve assembly 462 is assembled against a shoulder 466 onpiston rod 434. Valve body 460 is assembled against compression valveassembly 462 and rebound valve assembly 464 is assembled against valvebody 460. A nut 468 secures these components to piston rod 434. Valvebody 460 defines a plurality of compression fluid passages 470 and aplurality of rebound passages 472.

Compression valve assembly 462 comprises a retainer 480, a plurality ofvalve discs 482, a spring 484, a spacer 486 and a washer or valve disc488. Retainer 480 abuts shoulder 466 on one end and washer 488 on theopposite end. The plurality of valve discs 482 are disposed betweenvalve body 460 and spacer 486. Valve discs 482 abut valve body 460 andclose compression fluid passages 470. The plurality of valve discs 482are sandwiched between valve body 460 and spacer 486 by the tighteningof nut 468. Spring 484 biases washer 488 towards valve body 460 andagainst spacer 486. Washer 488 has a very close clearance fit betweenits outside diameter and the inside diameter of pressure tube 430. Thisclearance is designed to provide a pressure drop across washer 488 whichis large enough to overcome the biasing load of spring 484 and movewasher 488. The inside diameter of washer 488 and the outside diameterof retainer 480 are designed to provide a flow path when washer 488 isbiased against spacer 486. This flow passage will progressively closewith the movement of washer 488 away from valve body 460. The closing ofthis flow path will create the required increase in damping load at thepredetermined piston assembly velocity.

During a compression stroke, fluid in lower working chamber 446 ispressurized causing fluid to react against valve discs 482. When thefluid pressure reacting against valve discs 482 overcomes the bendingload for valve discs 482, valve discs 482 elastically deflect openingcompression fluid passages 470 allowing fluid flow from lower workingchamber 446 into upper working chambers 444. The strength of valve discs482 and the size of compression fluid passages 470 will determine thedamping characteristics for shock absorber 420 in compression. Whenfluid flows past washer 488 reaches a predetermined velocity, the flowaround the inside diameter and the outside diameter of washer 488becomes restricted and a pressure drop develops. Because the pressure onthe lower working chamber side of washer 488 is now higher than thepressure on the upper working chamber side of washer 488, washer 488will move away from valve body 460 and progressively close the flow pathbetween the inside diameter of washer 488 and retainer 480. Eventuallywasher 488 will contact retainer 480 creating a closed position. Thetotal flow area between the outside diameter of washer 488 and theinside diameter of pressure tube 430 is designed to be less than thetotal flow area of the plurality of compression fluid passages 470.Thus, when washer 488 closes, the flow area is decreased and the dampingforce that is developed will increase.

Rebound valve assembly 464 comprises a of valve disc 490, a springretainer 492, a spring 494 and nut 468. Nut 468 is threadingly receivedon piston rod 434 and biases valve disc 490 against valve body 460 toclose the plurality of rebound fluid passages 472. Spring 494 isdisposed between nut 468 and spring retainer 492 to bias spring retainer492 towards valve body 460 and valve disc 490 against valve body 460.During a rebound stroke, fluid in upper working chamber 444 ispressurized causing fluid pressure to react against the plurality ofvalve discs 490. When the fluid pressure against the plurality of valvediscs 490 overcomes the bending loads of the plurality of valve discs490 and the biasing of spring 494, the plurality of valve discs 490deflect away from valve body 460 to open the plurality of rebound fluidpassages 472. The design of the plurality of valve discs 490, the sizeof the plurality of rebound fluid passages 472 and the design for spring494 will determine the damping characteristics for shock absorber 420during a rebound stroke.

Referring now to FIG. 10, a shock absorber 620 is shown in greaterdetail. While FIG. 10 illustrates only shock absorber 620, it is to beunderstood that shock absorber 26 can also include the valve assembliesdescribed below for shock absorber 620. Shock absorber 26 only differsfrom shock absorber 620 in the manner in which it is adapted to beconnected to the sprung and unsprung masses of vehicle 10. Shockabsorber 620 comprises a pressure tube 630, a piston assembly 632, apiston rod 634, a reservoir tube 636 and a base valve assembly 638.

Pressure tube 630 defines a working chamber 642. Piston assembly 632 isslidably disposed within pressure tube 630 and divides working chamber642 into an upper working chamber 644 and a lower working chamber 646. Aseal 648 is disposed between piston assembly 632 and pressure tube 630to permit sliding movement of piston assembly 632 with respect topressure tube 630 without generating undue frictional forces as well assealing upper working chamber 644 from lower working chamber 646. Pistonrod 634 is attached to piston assembly 632 and extends through upperworking chamber 644 and through an upper end cap 650 which closes theupper end of pressure tube 630. A sealing system seals the interfacebetween upper end cap 650, reservoir tube 636 and piston rod 634. Theend of piston rod 634 opposite to piston assembly 632 is adapted to besecured to the sprung portion of vehicle 10. Valving within pistonassembly 632 controls the movement of fluid between upper workingchamber 644 and lower working chamber 646 during movement of pistonassembly 632 within pressure tube 630. Because piston rod 634 extendsonly through upper working chamber 644 and not lower working chamber646, movement of piston assembly 632 with respect to pressure tube 630causes a difference in the amount of fluid displaced in upper workingchamber 644 and the amount of fluid displaced in lower working chamber646. The difference in the amount of fluid displaced is known as the“rod volume” and it flows through base valve assembly 638.

Reservoir tube 636 surrounds pressure tube 630 to define a fluidreservoir chamber 652 located between tubes 630 and 636. The bottom endof reservoir tube 636 is closed by an end cap 654 which is adapted to beconnected to the unsprung portion of vehicle 10. The upper end ofreservoir tube 636 is attached to upper end cap 650. Base valve assembly638 is disposed between lower working chamber 646 and reservoir chamber652 to control the flow of fluid between chambers 646 and 652. Whenshock absorber 620 extends in length, an additional volume of fluid isneeded in lower working chamber 646 due to the “rod volume” concept.Thus, fluid will flow from reservoir chamber 652 to lower workingchamber 646 through base valve assembly 638 as detailed below. Whenshock absorber 620 compresses in length, an excess of fluid must beremoved from lower working chamber 646 due to the “rod volume” concept.Thus, fluid will flow from lower working chamber 646 to reservoirchamber 652 through base valve assembly 638 as detailed below.

Referring now to FIG. 11, piston assembly 632 comprises a valve body660, a compression check valve assembly 662 and a rebound valve assembly664. Compression check valve assembly 662 is assembled against ashoulder 666 on piston rod 634. Valve body 660 is assembled againstcompression check valve assembly 662 and rebound valve assembly 664 isassembled against valve body 660. A nut 668 secures these components topiston rod 634. Valve body 660 defines a plurality of compressionpassages 670 and a plurality of rebound passages 672.

Compression check valve assembly 662 comprises a retainer 680, a valvedisc 682 and a spring 684. Retainer 680 abuts shoulder 666 on one endand valve body 660 on the other end. Valve disc 682 abuts valve body 660and closes compression passages 670. Valve disc 682 defines a pluralityof apertures 686 which leave rebound passages 672 open. Spring 684 isdisposed between retainer 680 and valve disc 682 to bias valve disc 682against valve body 660. During a compression stroke, fluid in lowerworking chamber 646 is pressurized causing fluid pressure to reactagainst valve disc 682. When the fluid pressure against valve disc 682overcomes the biasing load of spring 684, valve disc 682 separates fromvalve body 660 to open compression passages 670 and allow fluid flowfrom lower working chamber 646 to upper working chamber 644. Typically,spring 684 only exerts a light biasing load on valve disc 682 andcompression check valve assembly 662 acts as a check valve betweenchambers 646 and 644. The damping characteristics for shock absorber 620during a compression stroke are controlled by base valve assembly 638which accommodates the flow of fluid from lower working chamber 646 toreservoir chamber 652 due to the “rod volume” concept. During a reboundstroke, compression passages 670 are closed by valve disc 682.

Rebound valve assembly 664 comprises a plurality of valve discs 690, avelocity sensitive valve disc 692 shaped as a Belleville spring and adisc retainer 694. The plurality of valve discs 690 are sandwichedbetween valve body 660 and nut 668 to close the plurality of reboundpassages 672. Velocity sensitive valve disc 692 is nested below valvedisc 682 of compression check valve assembly 662 on the opposite side ofvalve body 660 from the plurality of valve discs 690. Disc retainer 694is press fit within an annular channel defined by valve body 660 toretain velocity sensitive valve disc 692. Velocity sensitive valve disc692 defines a plurality of slots or apertures 696 which allow fluid flowwhen velocity sensitive valve disc 692 is in its closed position. Whenfluid pressure is applied to valve discs 690, they will elasticallydeflect at their outer peripheral edge to open rebound valve assembly664.

During a rebound stroke, fluid in upper working chamber 644 ispressurized causing fluid to react against valve discs 690. When thefluid pressure reacting against valve discs 690 overcomes the bendingload for valve discs 690, valve discs 690 elastically deflect openingrebound passages 672 allowing fluid flow from upper working chamber 644,through apertures 686, past velocity sensitive valve disc 692, throughrebound passages 672 and into lower working chamber 646. The strength ofvalve discs 690 and the size of rebound passages 672 will determine thedamping characteristics for shock absorber 620 in rebound. When thefluid flow past velocity sensitive valve disc 692 reaches apredetermined velocity, the flow between velocity sensitive valve disc692 and valve body 660 become restricted and a pressure drop develops.Because the pressure on the upper working chamber side of velocitysensitive valve disc 692 is now higher than the pressure on the lowerworking chamber side of velocity sensitive valve disc 692, velocitysensitive valve disc 692 will deflect towards valve body 660. Eventuallycontact will occur between velocity sensitive valve disc 692 and valvebody 660 creating a closed position. The total flow area throughapertures 696 of velocity sensitive valve disc 692 is designed to beless than the total flow area of the plurality of rebound passages 672.Thus, when velocity sensitive valve disc 692 closes, the flow area isdecreased and the damping force that is developed will increase.

Referring now to FIG. 12, base valve assembly 638 comprises a valve body700, an intake or rebound check valve assembly 702, a compression valveassembly 704, a retaining bolt 706 and a retaining nut 708. Valve body700 is secured to pressure tube 630 and end cap 654 by press fitting orby other methods known well in the art. End cap 654 is secured toreservoir tube 636 and it defines a plurality of fluid passages 710which allow communication between reservoir chamber 652 and base valveassembly 638. Valve body 700 defines a plurality of intake or reboundfluid passages 712, a plurality of compression fluid passages 714, and acentral bore 718. Retaining bolt 706 extends through central bore 718and threadingly engages retaining nut 708 to secure both rebound checkvalve assembly 702 and compression valve assembly 704 to valve body 700.While FIG. 12 illustrates retaining bolt 706 and retaining nut 708 otherretainers including but not limited to a valve pin can be utilized.

Rebound check valve assembly 702 comprises retaining nut 708, a valvedisc 722 and a spring 724. Valve disc 722 abuts valve body 700 andcloses rebound fluid passages 712. Valve disc 722 defines a plurality ofapertures 726 which leave compression fluid passages 714 open. Spring724 is disposed between retaining nut 708 and valve disc 722 to biasvalve disc 722 against valve body 700. During a rebound stroke, fluid inlower working chamber 646 is reduced in pressure causing fluid pressurein reserve chamber 652 to react against valve disc 722. When the fluidpressure against valve disc 722 overcomes the biasing load of spring724, valve disc 722 separates from valve body 700 to open rebound fluidpassages 712 and allow fluid flow from reserve chamber 652 to lowerworking chamber 646. Typically, spring 724 only exerts a light biasingload on valve disc 722 and rebound check valve assembly 702 acts as acheck valve between chambers 652 and 646. The damping characteristicsfor shock absorber 620 during a rebound stroke are controlled by pistonassembly 632 which accommodates the flow of fluid from upper workingchamber 644 to lower working chamber 646 as detailed above. During acompression stroke, rebound fluid passages 712 are closed by valve disc722.

Compression valve assembly 704 comprises a plurality of valve discs 730,a velocity sensitive valve disc 732 and a disc retainer 734. Theplurality of valve discs 730 are sandwiched between valve body 700 andretaining bolt 706 to close the plurality of compression fluid passages714. Velocity sensitive valve disc 732 is nested below valve disc 722 ofrebound check valve assembly 702 on the opposite side of valve body 700from the plurality of valve discs 730. Disc retainer 734 is press fitwithin an annular channel defined by valve body 700 to retain velocitysensitive valve disc 732. Velocity sensitive valve disc 732 defines aplurality of slots or apertures 736 which allow fluid flow wherevelocity sensitive valve disc 732 is in its closed position. When fluidpressure is applied to valve discs 730, they will elastically deflect attheir outer peripheral edge to open compression valve assembly 704.

During a compression stroke, fluid in lower working chamber 646 ispressurized causing fluid to react against valve discs 730. When thefluid pressure reacting against valve discs 730 overcomes the bendingload for valve discs 730, valve discs 730 elastically deflect openingcompression fluid passages 714 allowing fluid flow from lower workingchamber 646, through apertures 726, past velocity sensitive valve disc732, through compression fluid passages 714 and into reservoir chamber652. The strength of valve discs 730 and the size of compression fluidpassages 714 will determine the damping characteristics for shockabsorber 620 in compression. When the fluid flow past velocity sensitivevalve disc 732 reaches a predetermined velocity, the flow betweenvelocity sensitive valve disc 732 and valve body 700 becomes restrictedand a pressure drop develops. Because the pressure on the lower workingchamber side of velocity sensitive valve disc 732 is now higher than thepressure on the reservoir chamber side of velocity sensitive valve disc732, velocity sensitive valve disc 732 will deflect towards valve body700. Eventually contact will occur between velocity sensitive valve disc732 and valve body 700 creating a closed position. The total flow areathrough apertures 796 of velocity sensitive valve disc 794 is designedto be less than the total flow area of the plurality of compressionfluid passages 714. Thus, when velocity sensitive valve disc 732 closes,the flow area is decreased and the damping force that is developed willincrease.

Referring now to FIG. 13, a shock absorber 820 is shown in greaterdetail. Shock absorber 820 is a monotube design. While FIG. 14illustrates only shock absorber 820, it is to be understood that shockabsorber 26 can also include the valve assemblies described below forshock absorber 820. Shock absorber 26 only differs from shock absorber820 in the manner in which it is adapted to be connected to the sprungand unsprung masses of vehicle 10. Shock absorber 820 comprises apressure tube 830, a piston assembly 832 and a piston rod 834.

Pressure tube 830 defines a working chamber 842. Piston assembly 832 isslidably disposed within pressure tube 830 and divides working chamber842 into an upper working chamber 844 and a lower working chamber 846. Aseal 848 is disposed between piston assembly 832 and pressure tube 830to permit sliding movement of piston assembly 832 with respect topressure tube 830 without generating undue frictional forces as well assealing upper working chamber 844 from lower working chamber 846. Pistonrod 834 is attached to piston assembly 832 and extends through upperworking chamber 844 and through an upper end cap 850 which closes theupper end of pressure tube 830. A sealing system seals the interfacebetween upper end cap 850, reservoir tube 836 and piston rod 834. Theend of piston rod 834 opposite to piston assembly 832 is adapted to besecured to the sprung portion of vehicle 10. Valving within pistonassembly 832 controls the movement of fluid between upper workingchamber 844 and lower working chamber 846 during movement of pistonassembly 832 within pressure tube 830. Because piston rod 834 extendsonly through upper working chamber 844 and not lower working chamber846, movement of piston assembly 832 with respect to pressure tube 830causes a difference in the amount of fluid displaced in upper workingchamber 844 and the amount of fluid displaced in lower working chamber846. The difference in the amount of fluid displaced is known as the“rod volume” and it is compensated for by a sealed chamber withinworking chamber 842 as is known in the art.

Referring now to FIG. 14, piston assembly 832 comprises a valve body860, a compression valve assembly 862 and a rebound valve assembly 864.Compression valve assembly 862 is assembled against a shoulder 866 onpiston rod 834. Valve body 860 is assembled against compression valveassembly 862 and rebound valve assembly 864 is assembled against valvebody 860. A nut 868 secures these components to piston rod 834. Valvebody 860 defines a plurality of compression fluid passages 870 and aplurality of rebound fluid passages 872.

Compression valve assembly 862 comprises a retainer 880, a plurality ofvalve discs 882, a velocity sensitive valve disc 884, a spacer 886 and apiston 888. Retainer 880 abuts shoulder 866 on one end and the pluralityof valve discs 882 on the opposite end. The plurality of valve discs 882abut valve body 460 and close fluid compression passages 470. Spacer 886abuts retainer 880 on the side opposite to the plurality of valve discs882. Velocity sensitive valve disc 884 abuts spacer 886 and piston 888abuts velocity sensitive valve disc 884. Piston 888 also abuts ashoulder 890 defined by piston rod 834. Velocity sensitive valve disc884 abuts a disc land on piston 888 which provides a clearance betweenpiston 888 at the surface that defines a plurality of fluid passages 892which extend through piston 888. The clearance between velocitysensitive valve disc 884 and piston 888 defines a flow passage for fluidto flow through the plurality of fluid passages 892. This flow passagewill progressively close with the deflection of velocity sensitive valvedisc 884 toward piston 888. Velocity sensitive valve disc 884 defines aplurality of slots or apertures 894 which allow fluid flow when velocitysensitive valve disc 884 is in its closed position. The closing ofvelocity sensitive valve disc 884 will create the required increase indamping load at the predetermined piston assembly velocity. Piston 888sealingly engages the internal surface of pressure tube 830 whichdirects all fluid flow through the plurality of fluid passages 892during movement of piston assembly 832.

During a compression stroke, fluid in lower working chamber 846 ispressurized causing fluid to react against valve discs 882. When thefluid pressure reacting against valve discs 882 overcomes the bendingload for valve discs 882, valve discs 882 elastically deflect openingcompression fluid passages 870 allowing fluid flow from lower workingchamber 846 into upper working chambers 844. The strength of valve discs882 and the size of compression fluid passages 870 will determine thedamping characteristics for shock absorber 820 in compression. Whenfluid flows past velocity sensitive valve disc 884 reaches apredetermined velocity, the flow becomes restricted and a pressure dropdevelops. Because the pressure on the lower working chamber side ofvelocity sensitive valve disc 884 is now higher than the pressure on theupper working chamber side of velocity sensitive valve disc 884,velocity sensitive valve disc 884 will deflect toward piston 888 andprogressively close the plurality of fluid passages 892. Eventuallyvelocity sensitive valve disc 884 will contact piston 888 creating aclosed position. The total flow area of the plurality of apertures 894is designed to be less than the total flow area of the plurality ofcompression fluid passages 870. Thus, when velocity sensitive valve disc884 closes, the flow area is decreased and the damping force that isdeveloped will increase.

Rebound valve assembly 864 comprises a plurality of valve discs 896, aretainer 898 and nut 868. Nut 868 is threadingly received on piston rod834 and biases spring retainer 492 against the plurality of valve discs896 and the plurality of valve discs 896 against valve body 860 to closethe plurality of rebound fluid passages 872. During a rebound stroke,fluid in upper working chamber 844 is pressurized causing fluid pressureto react against the plurality of valve discs 896. When the fluidpressure against the plurality of valve discs 896 overcomes the bendingloads of the plurality of valve discs 896, the plurality of valve discs896 deflect away from valve body 860 to open the plurality of reboundfluid passages 872. The design of the plurality of valve discs 896 andthe size of the plurality of rebound fluid passages 872 will determinethe damping characteristics for shock absorber 420 during a reboundstroke.

What is claimed is:
 1. A shock absorber comprising: a pressure tubeforming a fluid chamber; a piston body disposed within said fluidchamber, said piston body dividing said fluid chamber into an upperworking chamber and a lower working chamber, said piston body defining apiston compression passage and a piston rebound passage; a piston rodattached to said piston body, said piston rod extending through one endof said pressure tube; a first valve assembly including a first valvedisc directly engaging said piston body; a second valve assemblyengaging said piston body; and a normally open piston velocity sensitivevalve attached to said piston rod, said piston velocity sensitive valveincluding a second valve disc movable between an open position and aclosed position in response to a first predetermined velocity of saidpiston body with respect to said pressure tube; wherein said secondvalve disc is disposed between said piston body and said first valvedisc; and when said second valve disc is in said closed position, anouter circumferential portion of said second valve disc directly engagessaid piston body.
 2. The shock absorber according to claim 1, furthercomprising an open fluid passage defined by one of said second valvedisc and said piston body bypassing said second valve disc of saidpiston velocity sensitive valve.
 3. The shock absorber according toclaim 1, wherein said second valve assembly is a rebound valve assembly,said rebound valve assembly normally closing said piston reboundpassage, said rebound valve assembly moving to an open position during arebound movement of said shock absorber.
 4. The shock absorber accordingto claim 1, wherein said first valve assembly is a compression valveassembly, said compression valve assembly normally closing said pistoncompression passage, said compression valve assembly moving to an openposition during a compression movement of said shock absorber.
 5. Theshock absorber according to claim 1, further comprising a reservoir tubesurrounding said pressure tube to define a reservoir chamber and a basevalve assembly disposed between said working chamber and said reservoirchamber, said base valve assembly comprising: a base valve body disposedbetween said working chamber and said reservoir chamber, said base valvebody defining a base compression passage and a base rebound passage; athird valve assembly engaging said base valve body; a fourth valveassembly engaging said base valve body; a base velocity sensitive valveattached to said base valve body, said base velocity sensitive valvemovable between an open position and a closed position in response to asecond predetermined velocity of said piston body with respect to saidpressure tube.
 6. The shock absorber according to claim 5, wherein saidbase velocity sensitive valve comprises a third valve disc disposedadjacent said third valve assembly.
 7. The shock absorber according toclaim 6, further comprising an open fluid passage defined by one of saidbase valve body and said third valve disc bypassing said third valvedisc of said base velocity sensitive valve.
 8. The shock absorberaccording to claim 6, wherein said fourth valve assembly is acompression valve assembly, said compression valve assembly normallyclosing said base compression passage, said compression valve assemblymoving to an open position during a compression movement of said shockabsorber.
 9. The shock absorber according to claim 6, wherein said thirdvalve disc defines an aperture defining an open fluid passage bypassingsaid third valve disc.
 10. The shock absorber according to claim 6,wherein said third valve disc is disposed between said third valveassembly and said base valve body.
 11. A shock absorber comprising: apressure tube forming a fluid chamber; a piston body disposed withinsaid working chamber, said piston body dividing said fluid chamber intoan upper working chamber and a lower working chamber, said piston bodydefining a piston compression passage and a piston rebound passage; apiston rod attached to said piston body, said piston rod extendingthrough one end of said pressure tube; a first valve assembly includinga first valve disc engaging said piston body; a second valve assemblyengaging said piston body; and a normally open piston velocity sensitivevalve attached to said piston rod, said piston velocity sensitive valveincluding a second valve disc movable between an open position and aclosed position in response to a first predetermined velocity of saidpiston body with respect to said pressure tube; wherein an inner portionof said second valve disc is fixedly attached to said piston rod suchthat axial movement of said inner portion of said second valve disc withrespect to said piston rod is prohibited.
 12. The shock absorberaccording to claim 11, further comprising an open fluid passage definedby one of said second valve disc and said piston body bypassing saidsecond valve disc of said piston velocity sensitive valve.
 13. The shockabsorber according to claim 11, wherein said second valve assembly is arebound valve assembly, said rebound valve assembly normally closingsaid piston rebound passage, said rebound valve assembly moving to anopen position during a rebound movement of said shock absorber.
 14. Theshock absorber according to claim 11, wherein said first valve assemblyis a compression valve assembly, said compression valve assemblynormally closing said piston compression passage, said compression valveassembly moving to an open position during a compression movement ofsaid shock absorber.
 15. The shock absorber according to claim 11,further comprising a reservoir tube surrounding said pressure tube todefine a reservoir chamber and a base valve assembly disposed betweensaid working chamber and said reservoir chamber, said base valveassembly comprising: a base valve body disposed between said workingchamber and said reservoir chamber, said base valve body defining a basecompression passage and a base rebound passage; a third valve assemblyengaging said base valve body; a fourth valve assembly engaging saidbase valve body; a base velocity sensitive valve attached to said basevalve body, said base velocity sensitive valve movable between an openposition and a closed position in response to a second predeterminedvelocity of said piston body with respect to said pressure tube.
 16. Theshock absorber according to claim 15, wherein said base velocitysensitive valve comprises a third valve disc disposed adjacent saidthird valve assembly.
 17. The shock absorber according to claim 16,further comprising an open fluid passage defined by one of said basevalve body and said third valve disc bypassing said third valve disc ofsaid base velocity sensitive valve.
 18. The shock absorber according toclaim 16, wherein said fourth valve assembly is a compression valveassembly, said compression valve assembly normally closing said basecompression passage, said compression valve assembly moving to an openposition during a compression movement of said shock absorber.
 19. Theshock absorber according to claim 16, wherein said third valve discdefines an aperture defining an open fluid passage bypassing said thirdvalve disc.
 20. The shock absorber according to claim 16, wherein saidthird valve disc is disposed between said third valve assembly and saidbase valve body.